Heritage Storytime

What is Heritage Storytime?

Heritage Storytime (HS) is a series of monthly storytime episodes presented virtually for children. Each HS episode will focus on a heritage-related theme and will feature a children’s book read-along as well as complementary learning materials and activities. HS nurtures our desire to tell stories about our lives and heritages, past and present, and to learn through these stories.

Audience: Kindergarten - 8th grade students, teachers, families. Check the episode info for that episode's specific grade level.

Topics: All episode topics will have a connection to Philadelphia heritages and focus on building an understanding of and appreciation for Philadelphia’s history, cultural diversity, and global connections.

Episode Description: In this episode, Basma Jaber from Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture will present Morning Circle Media's book, Let’s Cook for Ramadan! in both Arabic and English. She will introduce us to the month of Ramadan and the important role of both fasting and food to Muslims in Philadelphia and beyond. We will follow along as Basma buys fresh vegetables and prepares tabbouleh - her dad’s favorite and a beloved food in the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) region. Want to make your own tabbouleh at home with a little help from an adult? You can follow along with Basma using our recipe and even try the book’s other delicious recipes! You will also have the chance to start thinking about your own favorite foods and how YOU celebrate special holidays and family traditions. Additional teaching resources and ideas for exploring the episode’s themes will be included, too.

Episode air date:  April 15, 2021
1:00pm - 1:40pm

Audience: Children in grades 3-5, families, teachers
*This episode would be great for Arabic speakers and those learning Arabic.

Book: Let’s Cook for Ramadan!  By Suad Mansour and Cynthia Kreilick. Illustrated by Mohammed Ahmed.

Episode Partners: Global Philadelphia Association, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, Middle East Center,  Morning Circle Media

Episode Description: Join us for a special bilingual episode of Heritage Storytime, presented in Spanish and English! We’ll hear Tania Ramos Otón from Esperanza read the book Slide! ¡Deslízate!...and she will get us up and MOVING AROUND with some fun movement activities! We’ll also learn how everyone plays - past and present and all around the world - and we’ll visit Smith Memorial Playground, a historic and welcoming playground here in Philly. We’ll learn how we can play outside or at home, any time of year, even during the pandemic. Additional teaching resources and ideas for exploring the episode’s themes will be included, too.

Episode air date: March 11, 2021
1:00pm - 1:40pm

Audience: Children in grades K-3, families, teachers
*This episode would be great for Spanish speakers and those learning Spanish

Book: Slide! ¡Deslízate! By Cynthia and Alyssa Kreilick and Sara Mosenkis

Episode Partners: Smith Memorial Playground, Morning Circle Media, Esperanza Arts Center

Watch in Spanish or Japanese!

Episode Description: Join coloring book characters Caleb and Olivia for this special interactive episode of Heritage Storytime! Marilyn Russell of WOGL FM will be reading the Philadelphia World Heritage Coloring Book, which features Caleb and Olivia visiting important cultural and historic sites all over Philadelphia. Then we'll do a fun coloring activity from the book before getting up and showing off our Keith Haring mural inspired dance moves! We'll also learn how local students have used the Coloring Book to create their own heritage projects, many of which you can do yourself. Additional teaching resources and ideas for exploring the episode’s themes will be included, too.

Episode air date: Feb 11, 2021

Audience: Children in grades K-5, families, teachers

Book: Philadelphia World Heritage Coloring Book Written and illustrated by Philadelphia teacher and artist Michelle Dowd, published by Global Philadelphia Association

Episode Description: Join us for the second episode of Heritage Storytime, where we’ll hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inspiring “I Have a Dream” speech, read from a book with beautiful illustrations by Caldecott Honor winning artist Kadir Nelson. Dr. King’s powerful message of freedom and equality for all people will be explored further with a virtual tour of the Johnson House, presented in partnership with History Hunters. We’ll learn all about the people who fought for racial justice in Philadelphia in this Underground Railroad Station and House Museum. We’ll also present opportunities for service-learning during the MLK Day of Service and provide additional teaching resources and ideas for exploring the episode’s themes. 

Episode air date: Jan 13, 2021

Audience: Children in grades 4-5, families, teachers

Book: I Have a Dream By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Author), Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

Episode Partners: History Hunters, Johnson House Historic Site, and Global Citizen

 Episode Description: Join us for our first virtual Heritage Storytime episode! We’ll be at the African American Museum in Philadelphia reading the book “My Name Is Oney Judge” by local author Dr. Diane Turner to learn all about Oney’s daring escape from slavery in George Washington’s house in Philadelphia. Then we’ll learn more about slavery in America with a tour of the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery in Germantown. 

Episode air date: Nov 19, 2020 and Dec 16, 2020

Audience: Children in grades 4-8, families, teachers

Book: My Name Is Oney Judge By Diane D. Turner (Author), Cal Massey (Illustrator)

Learning Resources: Episode Resource Guide & Suggestions for Viewing

Episode Partners: African American Museum in Philadelphia & Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery